Iowa City is a sweet little town with a Big 10 university in it. I grew up in a very similar scene in Washington State so it is not a new thing for me. I love the vibe the university brings to the city. The culture, the events and just a lot of different people that ordinarily you wouldn’t get if it was just a small town. This week the Iowa City Arts Festival was downtown for the weekend, so armed with our double stroller, our Bjorn baby carrier and my Nikon the Sanchez Six were off. Great music and food, perfect weather and of course lots of people with fun booths to wander around and peruse through their creativity. I came across many photography booths and with some it made me feel like I could join in next year and with most others they put me in my place and I knew I still had so much to learn 
Still, it was wonderful to talk to other people who share a passion face to face. I have learned so many things from some of you and I sincerely wish I could sit in a coffee shop and soak in more and more from all you wonderful photo-gurus.
I took many photographs of people, strangers (Adita you would be proud of me) I even asked a few people 
I guess I was feeling a bit braver because of the environment but I still chalk it up as a win for me
There was a group of artists that were painting benches all around downtown and some of the benches were just glorious. I had to snap photos of them. I love the all colors of some and snapped many photos of many benches and artists in action. I had a difficult time choosing which ones to post but decided with these four. I hope you enjoy them.
I love his mask and that he has paint all over himself, so involved and focused.
f/3.2 ss1/25 ISO400 35mm
This one is probably my favorite, the artist was already gone but it was so intriguing. 
f/3.2 ss1/80 ISO800 35mm
The fact that he was “plugged in” and that he had his paint palette, yeah I was all over this one 
f/3.2 ss1/100 ISO800 35mm
I caught him doing his final touch-ups for the day. He would return the next day to complete his work. We left town the next morning so I couldn’t return to see his finished creativity, so I may have to try and get downtown this week to see how it evolved.
f/3.2 ss1/100 ISO800 35mm
I hope everyone is enjoying their summers/winters (where ever you are in the world) thus far and I hope your weather is as good as ours has been.
Would love to hear any thoughts, Happy week everyone!
Busy mom with a creative need and a love of capturing 'moments' in time.
These are striking, Ninali! How fun for you guys to live in such a great city (college towns have so much to offer) and for you to be able to capture it so beautifully. I love them all but the second is my favorite too!
Yes, I really enjoyed that one myself. Thanks for your kind comments Grace
Great photos. Iowa City sounds like a great place. I think I like the plugged in guy’s bench and the last one the best.
We have an old wooden bench like these. You’ve given me a great idea to sand it down and try my hand at some abstract painting.
Oh you must take photos of it if you decide to do that, I’d love to see what you come up with!
all the photos are great ninali. my personal favorite is the next to the last on the bottom. the artist with his paints on his board where the paint looks like toothpaste giving it a different texture versus the rest of the photo.
Yes, I was draw to the palette as well. Thanks for the comments as always Don
Great series Ninali, I love festivals like this…just wish there were more more more of them!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you David. I hope you are doing well these days. I appreciate your comment
What a neat concept! Bench art!? Wow, I am incredibly impressed, and as always am much obliged to you for sharing your pictures. I don’t know if this sort of thing happens at the art festivals near us, but this is something I doubt I will ever have a chance to see. You did a fantastic job capturing both artist and art. This must have been a fun event you and the family. I smile as I imagine you strolling with your loved ones, a camera loosely cradled between your hand.
Thank you, Ninali. I did — I enjoyed these very much. Hope you are doing well!
~ Cara
We are quite the sight Cara
It’s funny how many people stop and comment on our family. Many, “Oh you’ve got your hands full” or “Wow, you don’t see this all the time”. I’ll admit, I never thought I would have 4 kids but it is an amazing and blessed experience. I’ve learned a lot about myself some good some bad but it’s been worth every minute 
I am glad you enjoyed the photos.